The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-04-20
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Notes on the Lesson for April "a
Joseph and Hi, Father"

ESypt, anu uoshen, tho lani east OF the N'lo
deta, where Jacob and his family settled
SPECIAL MENTION.
TIA Children Of Lsrdel iu EgUDt The re-
moval of the chosen family 10 Egypt was an
essential part Of the great plan winch God had
traced out 10 their father Abraham. The
promise had now been given two hundred
years, and they had neither possessions nor
FANNY alliances in the promised land But
they would soon have sought for both; and
the character already manifested by Jacobs
sons augured Ill for their preserving either
purity or piety am the Canaanites. Their
present relation 10 Canaan must be broken
of, that il might be formed anew IN due
time. They must be placed among a people
with whom they could not m X, but from
whom they might learn the arts of civlliza-
ton and industry; and there, under the dis
ciplile OF affiicuon, the family must be con-
sohdated into the nation. (Wilham Smith
From the same valley of the Nle whence
flowed the culture OF Greece, was to flow also
the religion of Palestine. That same land of
ancient learning, which in the schools of Alex
andria was, ages afterward, the first settled
home and shelter of the wandering Christian
church, was also the first settled home and
shelter of the wandering Jewish nation. Egypt
was the meeting point, geographically and
historically, of the three continents OF the
ancient world. 1t could not but bear its part
In the nurture OF that people which was itself
TO influence and guide them all (Sanley)
SO Joseph sent for his father and the whole
family from Beersheba (rather Hebron, Gen
At: ~ into Egypt; and God encouraged Jacob
by vision, commanding him to go down, and
promising 10 bring him up again in the per-
son of his descendants, who are henceforth
called by the collective name of Israel So he
went down with his sons and their wives and
children, and all their cattle The house OF
Israel nov numbered seventy souls, without
reckoning wives.
The Land of Goshen The word means,
perhaps heritage or flowers. While the pre-
else location and limits of the district are un-
certain, there is little doubt as 10 Its general
position. From the Scriptures We learn, partly
by direct statement, partly by inference, the
following: % 1t was otherwise known as
Harnesses; CT was not far from Memphis, Pha-
raoh's place OF residence; C3) was between the
seat OF government and Palestine; a. was
away from the ceater of Egyptian popula-
tom" ~ was but three days Journey from
the desert; 90 bordered on the Nile; (0 IN
cluded Zoah, the scene of the miraculous
plaques; (S) was exceedingly fruitful and
pasture land; 90 was chiefly occupied 10y for
eigners, land hence the location of the Israel
ties there was III accordance with privileges
already granted to Others" 40 probably con-
tanned Plthom and RImeses, Iharaoh's treas
ure cities. We may suppose that ii CORE
sponded TO the modern province, ESh-Shur-
kiyeh, which extends, according to Robinso
from the neighborhood of Abu label to the
sea, and from the desert TO the former fanatic
branch of the Mica frontier province,
therefore, toward the northeast Or Harper.)
Joseph an historical parsonage Through
out this narrative of Joseph there is a life
likeness In the character of Pharaoh that
shows him TO us as one OF the most veritable
objects presented in history. And what an
air of reality In all these scenes here so exqui-
sitely portrayed! 1t is no invented tale. The
picture stands out wildly before us; age has
not dlmme Its cOlors; remoteness OF rcene,
and wide diversity of life and manners, can
not weaken its effect We see the figures dis
tinctly moving on that far-of ancient shore.
1t is brought nigh TO us In such a way that we
could almost as well doubt our senses az think
of calling IL in question. At ali events, no
mythical theory can expla it. No "higher
criticism" as II Is called, can ever make salts
factory TO truly thoughtful mind the COM
parlson sometimes drawn between these "Bi-
bic stories" and the cloudy fables that charac-
terlze the early annals of other ancient ma
tons We may as well doubt of Cesar and
Alexander, yea of Napoleon and of Washing
ton, as OF jacob, Joseph, and Pharaoh.
(Lange.)
LiJe Pilgrimage. The discipline of life,
its compensatiOns and retrlbutlons, were never
more clearly delineated than in the case of
jacob. In the beginning OF his career he
takes the lead In craft and cunning, but as
time rolls on he Is obliged to flee from his
fathers house to preserve his life; he serves
seven years for a beloved wife, and is baked
Ill hls expected recompense by deceitful,
match making father-in-law; lac serves seven
long years more for the object of his affec-
tons; during the next six years OF seryitude
his wages are changed ten times; then he is
afflicted by tho dishonor of Dinah his
daughter; again afflicted by the revenge of
Simeon and Levi; by the death of his beloved
Rachel while giving birth to Benjamin. by the
disgraceful incest of Reuben; by the loss of
Joseph for twenty-five years; and lastly, by
the present famine with all his
anxietles. Over against these dark
clouds stood the bow of covenant
promise shining constantly upon him. God
commured with him and blessed him at
Bethel, Mahanaim, and Pencil He sent him
away from Laban wealthy chief He gave
INN favor In the eyes of Pharaoh He caused
HIM to see his posteriiy grow up about him a
numerous and prosperous people. STANDARD
Feel Comni.)
Canaan The country Inhabited by the pos
terity of Canaan, who were hence called Ca
NANTES, and which was given by God to the
chIdr, IL of Israel the posterity of Abraham,
as their possession (Ex. 81 4 /; Lev. % 81.
The original boundaries are supposed TO have
been Mount Lebanon on the north, the wilder
ness of Arabia (Shur, Paran, and Zin) on tho
south, and the river Jordan on the east On
the west, their possessions extended at some
points TO the margin of the Mediterranean.
Their boundaries on this side were partially
restricted by the Philistnes, who held the low
lands and strong cities along the shore (Gen
10: 10. Besides the possessions of the Israel
ties, the land of Canaan embraced Phenicia on
the north, and Philistia on the southwest.
Cooks Comp. Quarterly
sEED-TRUTHs AND GERM THOUGHTS.
j. The duty of honoring and helping ones
family and friends Tvs. l, y
The duty of having something to do.
Avoid laZiness ". B.
j Ones business may not be popular but
1t should be honorable ". 3. 1T Is better to
adorn humble place than to disgrace high
one"
t. The lowliest sphere may be made glorl-
Gus by patient and hopeful spirit
D. Christ mercedes for us, and presents us
before the King of heaven (vs. /, y.
o. The true measure Of life Is in deeds, not
years w. 81.
Z. Gods people should pray for the divine
blessing upon those in authority ". y.
s Capacity the true condition and measure
OF promotion ", o. J. cl
o 1t IL our duty TO seek out men OF fidelity
and consecrated ability TO fill important trusts
w. o.
IL. Folly and sin in youth bring sorrow and
regret in old age ". -
i3. 1t is the believers privilege and duty
both to bestow tho best and 70 receive the best
Tvs. 10, H.
a. The heavenly home is by kingly author
iy and with Astounding provisions Tvs H. III
ID. There Is ~bread enough and to spare" In
the Fathers house ". II.
Subject of lesson for May l. "I.rael in
EovOt y Ex 4. G-Il